Regulatory and Washington

ARLINGTON, Va. — A university research project to look at the potential effects on patient health of incorporating medication management strategies into existing care teams has won a grant from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' philanthropic arm.

The NACDS Foundation said it gave the University of Nebraska Medical Center one of three research grants for the project, which will look at the effects of the strategies when they're incorporated into teams such as medical homes and accountable care organizations.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Pharmacy groups are advocating that Congress expand the role of pharmacists in new healthcare delivery models.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Novartis Consumer Health on Thursday voluntarily issued a recall of certain lots of Triaminic Syrups and Theraflu Warming Relief Syrups that were manufactured in the United States prior to Dec. 31, 2011. 

The full recall resulted from a faulty child-resistant feature of the bottle cap may not function properly, enabling the cap to be removed with the tamper-evident seal still in place.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating some disorders that harm the body's ability to remove ammonia from the blood, the agency said Friday.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever has mostly completed its sale of the Skippy peanut butter brand to Hormel Foods, the company said Friday.

The conglomerate said it had completed the $700 million sale of the global business, except for China, where it remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close later this year.

The two companies announced the deal on Jan. 3, including the brand's trademarks and two factories, in the United States and China.

Rite Aid on Thursday announced the appointment of Yong Choe as VP federal affairs and public policy. Choe previously served as director of business outreach and member services for the Republican Study Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, and worked in various roles in the government affairs division of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores between 2003 and 2010. In his new position, he will report to EVP pharmacy Robert Thompson.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Face-to-face medication therapy management services can improve health outcomes for patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday urged Oregon state lawmakers to pass a series of bills that would "collectively reduce red tape for pharmacists caring for patients, give consumers greater pharmacy choice at no extra cost, and keep more revenue within the state."

NCPA has identified four issues of import: